Adapting design and assessment best practices for effective instruction in the academic or clinical setting

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"The most valuable thing I got out of the Health Professions Education program at the MGH Institute was interprofessional education … I credit the IHP with starting me thinking about this in a systematic manner. Overall, a life-changing degree—and I really mean that! Would I do it again? ABSOLUTELY!"

Nigel Tan, MBBS, MS HPEd '13

​Education Director, National Neuroscience Institute of Singapore

Assistant Dean, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine

100%

of graduates said "Yes" when asked, "Was the investment you made to get an HPEd degree or certificate worth it?"

92%

said an increase in the quality of their teaching was a direct result of our HPEd program.

100%

online program allows you to earn your degree while working full-time.

Adapt your study to focus on areas of health professions education most applicable to your goals. Your courses are largely project-based so that you can advance your skills and apply what you are learning as you learn it.

Note: Scholars must complete a minimum of 6 credits at the MGH Institute of Health Professions to receive the Teaching and Learning Certificate.

HP 712 - Foundations of Teaching and Learning

Credits: 3

In this project-based course, learners will apply principles of learner-centered instruction and instructional design to plans for teaching across modalities: classroom-based discussion, experiential learning, and interactive online instruction. The learning objectives for this course are:

Discuss learner-centered teaching and learner centered experiences as they relate to the education of health care professionals.

Discuss the teacher-learner relationship for adult learners and incorporate opportunities to build this relationship in the design of instruction.

Identify, describe and discuss factors that influence planning for different teaching environments, such as student preparation and predictability in the instructional environment.

Apply the theory of ‘backwards design’ or “Understanding by Design” to the learning experience in a variety of settings.

Search, access, and assess resources available to design and implement effective instruction for health professionals.

Demonstrate the ability to adapt learner-centered teaching to the unique needs of students with disabilities and vulnerable students.

HP 713 - Foundations of Educational Effectiveness

Credits: 3

This course focuses on application of core concepts related to educational effectiveness. Its objectives are as follows:

Describe and distinguish among various methods for assessing achievement of educational goals.

Compare and contrast evidence-based assessment of the effectiveness of instruction in various types of learning experiences.

Apply principles of cognitive science to performance assessment.

Identify and propose ways to address gaps in instruction as might be described as the ‘hidden curriculum’ (e.g., implicit norms and unspoken values).

Appraise the effectiveness of others’ and one’s own instructional design.

Health Professions Teaching and Learning Certificate Electives

Scholars can complete the 9-credit program with one of the following electives:

HP 716 - Synthesis Project

Credits: 3

Learners will apply work from HP 712 and HP 713 to fully develop a relevant course offering. The learning objectives are:

Describe and discuss future educational needs in your profession.

Describe and discuss various elements of the ‘hidden curriculum’ in your profession’s education; propose instruction activities to reveal hidden ones, and provide opportunities for learners to address them.

Demonstrate mastery of the principles and techniques of instructional design with completion of a detailed framework including 3 instructional designs across settings for health professions education instructional experiences.

Apply principles of measurement of the impact of teaching and revise designs to design for optimal teaching effectiveness within constraints.

Incorporate methods of data collection to assess the efficiency and effectiveness of the course/activity.

Identify resources required for instruction and outline a budget for either a course/educational activity including a simulation-based educational experience.

Propose a marketing plan for acquiring resources needed to support their instruction.

HP 741 - Technology in Education

Credits: 3

This course will introduce the learner to a variety of electronic and digital technologies for teaching and learning appropriate for diverse populations of learners and learning contexts. Through the exploration of the history of changing educational approaches and learning populations, the participants will examine uses and issues related to the application of educational technologies, theories of communication, principles of selection, evaluation and research relevant to the appropriate application of theories and techniques in educational settings. Students will participate in an in depth review and analysis of the effective uses of technology to transform teaching, learning, and process improvement.

Learn from Experts

What do you like the most about teaching in the Health Professions Education program?

"I love the students' interest in teaching and excitement about using what they are learning. Some come to understandings about instruction that has not worked in the past; others look forward to creating innovative instruction in the future... most do both."

What is the time commitment required in terms of number of hours per week?

Most of our scholars continue to work full time while earning their Health Professions Teaching and Learning Certificate, and many have young families or other responsibilities. The weekly work effort expectation varies depending on the course and one’s familiarity with its content and literature. Learning about a concept for the first time will take longer than reading about one with which the student is already familiar. Having said that, most people dedicate 3-6 hours per week for each three-credit course. Those who can protect dedicated time each week for their studies are more successful.

How much does the program cost and do you offer any discounts to Partners HealthCare employees or otherwise?

Please visit the MGH Institute's main tuition and fees page for more detailed information. See here for details about discounts we offer to Partners employees and through our voucher program. Briefly:

Partners HealthCare full-time employees may take one 3-credit course at half-price tuition. Vouchers we award to hospitals, clinics, and schools who precept our students may be used to pay for tuition.

Is an application necessary if I want to earn my Health Professions Teaching and Learning Certificate?

No application is required for this program. Simply follow our non-degree course registration process and when asked on the registration form, indicate that you'd like to apply your courses toward a Health Professions Teaching and Learning Certificate of Completion. You can register for courses on our website for Graduate-Level Non-Degree Courses.

What if I have more questions!?

If you have any questions or would like to speak with someone about our program, please email us at anytime.

Learn About Our Master's Degree in Health Professions Education

Our Health Professions Teaching and Learning Certificate is a great stepping stone to earning a Masters in Health Professions Education.